SouthernHorsemanship

10/04/2025

Perspective shifts for having a better showing experience ⬇️

I found this written in my notes and realized I never posted anything from after ATFO. I read through it and it’s very applicable for leading up to the ILHA championship show.

Elliot Holtzman challenged all of us to write down our experiences and thoughts about ATFO, good or bad. So are some condensed takeaways for me.

Horse training isn’t a destination. Getting to the competition isn’t the goal. It’s a goal. If you want to live a life that continues to grow and flourish you must commit to being a life long learner.

There is no finished horse. And there’s no finished person. The only finished horse or person is the one who quits learning.

You don’t have to be the best to be impactful. You just have to bring your best.

How you handle things is just as important as what you handle.

I hope these simple truths encourage you in your next showing experience.

Appalachian Trainer Face Off
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC

10/04/2025

The best crew to show with ❤️

09/04/2025

I was recently reminded as important as working on specific maneuvers that will be put to the test is when leading up to a competition, it’s also important to having some fun and add in some more light hearted work. Here’s a clip of today’s fun!

08/19/2025

I’d say Papa Smurf had a nice glow up this summer 🤩

Appalachian Trainer Face Off
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC

08/17/2025

One major break through with papa Smurf has been drinking out of a bucket that I’m holding!

May not seem important but this amount of relaxation is huge for him.

Appalachian Trainer Face Off
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC

08/16/2025

On Thursday I had another opportunity to get some very helpful coaching from Laura Funderburg. We were able to work on some gear transitions within the trot which is something that couldn’t have happened a few weeks ago. In June when I first started riding Papa Smurf, it was a bouncy ride to post it and there was no way I was sitting it comfortably. Now we can comfortably and rhythmically sit a trot.

We also worked on counter bending, canter transitions, staying soft in transitions on the ground and in the saddle.

I’m really grateful to be able to have taken this guy this far and I’m really looking forward to seeing what someone else could continue with him. He’s a really nice mover and a very smart boy.

I think this guy could go along way with some more love and patience💕

Appalachian Trainer Face Off
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC



08/12/2025

No arena? No problem.

This guy will ground tie in the middle of an unfenced in field to be groomed, tacked up, and mounted all without moving a hoof. 🤩

You have until Friday August 15th to get your applications in to bid on him!

https://www.wvhorserescue.org/apply

Appalachian Trainer Face Off
Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC

08/07/2025

Don’t miss out on this quiet, sweet BLM mustang gelding.

You have 8 days left to apply to adopt!

We know that if you're looking for a horse this year, you need to look no further than the Appalachian Trainer Face Off.

Horses are update to date on all care, vaccines, dental work and deworming. They have received no less than $3,000 worth of training or more in the last 110 days!

Over 40+ horses of many breeds, ages, levels and abilities will be adoptable August 24th in Winfield, WV.

Apply now to have a the ability to meet and bid on one of these amazing animals.

The most unique part of the ATFO and the ability to adopt one of these horses is the remarkable level of training that has gone into each horse adoptable.

You are able to look over the whole journey through each horse and trainer's social media presence in a unique way.

Look over all of the minis, ponies and horses, learn about the event and apply at:
[www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com](https://www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com)
Visit the HORSE SPECS page to see rider level needed, heights and more!

An Application doesn’t require you bid or adopt, but Adoption Approval allows you to bid on any suitable horse, if you decide there is a right fit for you!

Apply today (by Aug 15th) and plan to attend this amazing event to adopt an incredible partner.

What Papa Smurf has learned the summer🎉

✅ SOLID ground work - W/T/C no pulling on the rope, smooth transitions from any gait. Stops & backs up. Switches directions with ease. Lateral movement - shoulders and hips isolated. Leg yielding out.

✅ Foundational liberty work- at the shoulder/in hand W/T, drawl back circles and liberty circles W/T.

✅ Stand ground ties for all maintenance activities- farrier, tacking up, cooling off, bath, etc…

✅ Undersaddle- stand quietly to mount.

✅ Undersaddle - W/T/C both directions.

✅ Stop & back up

✅ Steering off one rein

✅ Leg yeilding out

✅ Hip control and begining of lateral work

✅ Will pony along side buggy

✅ Willing jump small jumps

✅ Trailer loads

What the next few weeks will look like:

⭐️ Lots of ridden work - refinement of steering, lateral movement and movement off of riders body.

⭐️ Liberty training - refinement of at the shoulder work, liberty circles and mark training

Simply but not easy goals for Papa Smurf!

Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, INC
Appalachian Trainer Face Off

07/30/2025

We still have a few spots left! This is a very helpful skill for every horse to learn.

Liberty horse or not, your horse can benefit from this education!🤩

✨Want to teach your horse to race to the mark at Liberty?✨

This is a great opportunity to learn this incredible training tool that leads to so many amazing maneuvers!

Many professionals consider it a staple in their Liberty training.

We will walk through each step of creating a horse that knows its job when the mark is out.

This clinic will be taught by our Club Manager, Amy Dean. Amy is a trainer and liberty enthusiast who is excited to share her knowledge and love of Mark Training with you.

Details:

August 8 & 9th, 2025
Starts at 9am

Rates:
2 Day Clinic, includes lunch & your mark
$230 for KLHC members
$250 for non members

$50 deposit to hold your spot!
Message us today to reserve your spot! 🫵🏻

Three16 Ranch
660 Janesville Rd
Owenton KY 40359

Auditors $20 a day (please rsvp if you’d like lunch. Lunch will be available to auditors for an extra fee.)

Message us with questions!

We hope to see you there!🤩